Monday is the last day to reserve a Minnesota state park campsite until March 1.

After 8 p.m. Monday, the Department of Natural Resources will suspend its reservation system until March 1 to install a new system.

DNR officials said the new system, procured under a three-year contract with vendor US eDirect, will be a major improvement with interactive maps and quicker ways to check availability of overnight lodging.

Until 8 p.m. Monday, reservations can be made at stayatmnparks.com or by calling 866-85PARKS. Reservations will be accepted for arrival dates up to a year in advance.

Overnight stays at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas totaled 985,374 in 2010, up from 942,381 in 2009 and 863,075 in 2008.

The DNR will announce an interim plan to make reservations for camper cabins, a popular winter lodging option, after the first of the year.

BWCAW lottery: Applications for the lottery, or what’s left of it, for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are being accepted.

Through Jan. 19, trippers can apply for a number of permits surrounding two popular entry points, Fall Lake and Moose Lake.

The Superior National Forest, which oversees the wilderness, had planned to do away with the lottery this year, but after complaints arose, officials decided to keep it alive for the two popular entry points, where permits often are gobbled up. The five entry permits in the lottery – 24, 25, D, F and G – include day and overnight motor and paddle trips within the BWCA, as well as en route to Canada.

The lottery will be run Jan. 20.

All other BWCA Wilderness entry points will become available on a first-come, first-served basis at 9 a.m. Jan. 29.

As outdoors editor for the Pioneer Press, Orrick fishes, paddles, hunts, skis and romps across the region while staying on top of outdoors news. When the occasion demands, he's also been known to cover topics ranging from politics to golf. He lives in St. Paul with his wife and son.​

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